Laupahoehoe Community Public Charter School (LCPCS) faculty, staff, parents and community members elected the school’s first governing board on September 6.

The LCPCS Interim Local School Board transitioned out on September 11. A formal exchange of seats marked the changing of the board.

“This is a critical time in our school’s history,” said LCPCS Director, Dr. David Rizor. “We benefit from past and present perspectives and ideas as we continue to build a school that is in the best interest of the students and the Laupahoehoe community.”

Members of the LCPCS Governing Board are:

Jonah Kaye is the Secondary Special Education teacher at LCPCS. He has been a special education teacher in Hawaii’s public schools for eleven years. Jonah believes that self-esteem is the foundation for all education and uses building projects in his classroom to develop a positive learning environment. He has three children at the school.

Tracy Jardine is the office coordinator at LCPCS. Her in-laws, husband and children graduated from Laupahoehoe School. She believes that LCPCS is on its way to becoming a great school.

Bethany Morrison, LCPCS parent, is a long-range planner for the County of Hawaii and member of the Ocean Resources Management Program Working Group. She has experience in collaborating with different levels of government and agencies as well as grant proposal writing and fiscal management.

Community member George Martin is a 1978 graduate of Lauapahoehoe School. A former mechanic for Yamada and Sons, Martin has been a business agent for the ILWU 142 for seven years. He was president of the Ookala Community Association and served on the Ookala Community Forest Board.

According to the State’s charter school law, the school’s director, Dr. Rizor, who is a non-voting member of the board, and the four elected members, will appoint additional board members.

Ideally, applicants should demonstrate an understanding of best practices of non-profit governance and possess strong financial and academic management and oversight abilities, as well as human resource and fundraising experience.

The Governing Board is responsible for the financial, organizational, and academic viability of the school and implementation of its charter.